Charging at Public Chargers Question

[FloridaMan655321]

Went on a trip a few months ago, and now did another trip over Thanksgiving and I have some questions / clarifications on what I should expect for public charging.

It seems that every EA charger I used, I just plug in and it automatically starts charging. I don't have to do anything. All magic, no apps being used, etc..

The couple times I used a Tesla charger it seems that I needed to open the Tesla app and choose the charger. Just wondering if this is normal? Or would it also work if I opened from the Ford app? Never had an issue, just want to clarify because I thought magic would happen like at the EA chargers.

This trip I stopped twice at a GM Electric charger, which also said it was EV Go on it. Both times I ended up opening the Ford App and choosing to activate the charger from the app. Everything went well, but I'm wondering if I really needed to do this or if the magic of EA would have happened if I just waited long enough?

Thanks for any clarification as to what I should expect while traveling.

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[TMND]

Tesla chargers haven’t always worked as plug and charge but most times for me. Then I had to do like you and activate it from the app. When I charge on road trips and have to use EA (usually my last choice) I have subscribed to their plan and used the app to get a better rate. Shell Recharge may be my favorite only because the times I’ve used it was like .04 a kw

 

[TaxmanHog]

IIRC ( I don't do this often) so others with more experience might have better tips.

I can activate the Tesla station with:

• Sync screen Charge Assist (Blue Oval Network rates)
• Fordpass Public Charging application (Blue Oval Network rates)
• Tesla app (Tesla fee structure public or member pricing)

They key is to not wait too long between activation request, inserting NACS cable into adapter and plugging into your truck, to long and the recent request may expire, it will throw an error light on the charging ring next to the CCS1 port. If that happens unplug & repeat.

 

[Maquis]

There was a software update to enable P&C for Tesla stations. Then you have to enable it. It’s possible you don’t have the update or, if you do, it isn’t enabled.

Tesla & EA are currently the only stations that Ford has enabled for P&C. All others must be activated. Some brands (might be EV-Go?) have their own version of P&C that you have to enable in their app.

 

[Firn]

Something worth mentioning.

Do the math as to if purchasing the subscription/membership is worth it. I found that it likely is.

If you do have a membership plug and charge won't use the membership, you need to disable that on the truck and start the charge via the app before plugging in.

 

[tommyb]

Something worth mentioning.

Do the math as to if purchasing the subscription/membership is worth it. I found that it likely is.

If you do have a membership plug and charge won't use the membership, you need to disable that on the truck and start the charge via the app before plugging in.

To get Tesla membership pricing when charging, you just have to start the session with the Tesla app, no need to turn off Ford plug and charge. I've done this plenty, no issues in getting the discounted price. Not sure if Electrify America works the same way.
And yes, for long trips where you expect to use Tesla chargers a lot, getting the membership will be worth it. It's month-to-month so you can cancel the membership once you think you won't need it much (and then re-join again later if needed).

 

[TaxmanHog]

Not sure if Electrify America works the same way.

Works the same way.

 

[RickLightning]

Went on a trip a few months ago, and now did another trip over Thanksgiving and I have some questions / clarifications on what I should expect for public charging.

It seems that every EA charger I used, I just plug in and it automatically starts charging. I don't have to do anything. All magic, no apps being used, etc..

The couple times I used a Tesla charger it seems that I needed to open the Tesla app and choose the charger. Just wondering if this is normal? Or would it also work if I opened from the Ford app? Never had an issue, just want to clarify because I thought magic would happen like at the EA chargers.

This trip I stopped twice at a GM Electric charger, which also said it was EV Go on it. Both times I ended up opening the Ford App and choosing to activate the charger from the app. Everything went well, but I'm wondering if I really needed to do this or if the magic of EA would have happened if I just waited long enough?

Thanks for any clarification as to what I should expect while traveling.

For EVGo, you can also activate the charger in Public Charging in the truck. No reason to use the app. You can do this for any of the charging companies in the Blue Oval Charge network.

 

[FloridaMan655321]

For EVGo, you can also activate the charger in Public Charging in the truck. No reason to use the app. You can do this for any of the charging companies in the Blue Oval Charge network.

I guess I’ve never seen this. I’ll have to research

 

[RickLightning]

These companies are part of the BlueOval Network:

• Ford Charge
• Tesla Superchargers
• Electrify America®
• Shell Recharge™
• ChargePoint®
• EVgo
• EV Connect™
• Blink
• FLO®
• Electric Circuit
• Red E
• Francis Energy

Open FordPass, Click on Energy, then Public Charging. Or, click on Public Charging in vehicle.

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